An Efficiency-Frontier Based Procedure to Improve Operations Strategy

This paper intends to describe a procedural framework for identifying the operations strategy efficiency frontier and, based on this, establish initiatives to improve a given company’s competitiveness position. Each step of the framework is explained, including recommendations on how results should be interpreted. Empirical data are used to exemplify the implementation of the procedural framework. The process contributes to knowledge on the current needs, thereby supporting agile decision making. The contribution also enables dynamic mapping the competitive environment, enabling an current picture of the industry’s competitive context and supporting the establishment of emerging strategies. Two literature gaps are covered: first the lack of focus on identifying the performance frontier process within the context of operations strategy and second, the deployment of the competitive priorities in a market-based view approach.